Wood Release Sage Art Baptism! The Three Basic Techniques and the Clouds of War

Hashirama Senju looked at Uchiha Linhai, his expression turning serious.

"The foundation of a ninja is the Three Basic Techniques.

The Transformation Technique is used for disguise, the Clone Technique creates afterimages to disrupt vision, and the Substitution Technique is used to evade fatal blows. They are mandatory lessons.

Today, I'll teach you an advanced version of the Clone Technique first."

He pressed his index and middle fingers together, crossing them into a seal.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Bang!

As the white smoke dispersed, an identical solid body appeared beside Hashirama.

Both Hashiramas spoke at once:

"This is a ninjutsu I improved.

It divides chakra evenly to create a physical clone.

Its abilities are no different from the original, but it disappears when attacked.

The key is that everything the clone experiences will be transmitted back to the original's mind the moment it is dispelled."

"You can use it for training and achieve twice the results with half the effort." Hashirama abruptly changed his tone, his voice growing stern. "But the side effects are severe. People with weak mental strength cannot endure the impact of those memories and can easily become idiots."

Linhai's eyes lit up, and he immediately formed the hand seals to try it.

Bang! A Linhai shadow clone appeared.

Hashirama casually poked it, and the clone vanished.

Linhai immediately felt a wave of dizziness wash over his mind and sucked in a sharp breath.

Damn, that feedback was really direct!

Hashirama dispelled his ninjutsu, took out an old scroll, and handed it over.

"Over the years, I've come into contact with quite a few declining schools.

Many of the sealing techniques used by ninja originated from Onmyōji.

This is a secret method used by Onmyōji to cultivate mental strength.

Master it, and you'll be able to withstand the side effects of shadow clones."

Linhai accepted the scroll and casually asked, "Have you practiced it too, Sensei?"

"I never had the time. But don't worry, mental strength is self-control. This technique can comprehensively strengthen your mind. Nothing will go wrong."

Hashirama chuckled and patted him on the shoulder.

Linhai was speechless.

So the God of the Shinobi was using me as a lab rat!

Inside the Hokage's Office.

An Anbu knelt on one knee and reported swiftly, "Second Lord! Iwagakure is mobilizing troops on a large scale toward Takigakure's border. Takigakure is actively cooperating as well. There will definitely be major movements soon!"

Tobirama Senju frowned deeply. After pondering for a moment, he issued an order. "Notify our undercover intelligence agents. Find out Iwagakure's exact objective and report back as soon as possible!"

"Yes!" The Anbu used the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared.

Tobirama walked to the window, gazing down at the bustling streets of Konoha. He let out a long sigh. "We've only had peace for a few years. Is war coming again?"

Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.

The Second Raikage sat behind a broad desk, his expression grim. "Have you confirmed it? Are Iwagakure and Takigakure targeting us?"

The intelligence ninja before him immediately replied, "Ōnoki, the disciple of the Second Tsuchikage, is leading the force. Nearly two thousand ninja have already entered Takigakure. A large number of Takigakure ninja have also been spotted near our borders. Their target is definitely Kumogakure!"

"What are we waiting for? Let's attack them directly!"

A burly man with broom-like blond hair shouted loudly.

Two horns grew from his head, and the character for "Gold" was tattooed on his left shoulder.

"Wipe out Takigakure, then take the surrounding small countries while we're at it! Hashirama Senju is nearing the end of his life. This is the perfect chance to test Konoha's limits!" Silver, who resembled Gold and had the character for "Silver" tattooed on his right shoulder, echoed.

The Raikage slammed his hand against the desk and roared, "Idiots! As long as Hashirama Senju still has a single breath left, whoever tests him will die! Have you forgotten how Madara Uchiha dealt with you back then? Don't think you're invincible just because you once stayed inside the Nine-Tails' stomach. The entire village is to prepare for war. Keep a close watch on Iwagakure!"

Gold and Silver's faces turned ashen as they turned and walked out of the building.

"That old bastard always uses Madara to suppress us. I really want to kill him!" Gold ground his teeth.

Silver's gaze was dark. "The old bastard is on guard against us, and there are guards inside. Don't do anything rash."

As the two passed a white-haired guard outside the door, Gold made a provocative throat-slitting gesture at him before striding away.

Inside the office, the white-haired guard stepped forward. "Lord Raikage, those two will become a calamity sooner or later. Why not get rid of them now?"

"They're quite capable in battle. A war is about to break out. We can just throw them onto the front lines as cannon fodder." A glint flashed through the Raikage's eyes.

At the same time, the Land of Wind and the Land of Water were also secretly mobilizing their forces.

A great ninja war was on the verge of erupting.

Six months later. Forest of Death, clearing beside the tower.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Linhai appeared behind Hashirama like a ghost and spat out a violent whirlwind.

Without even turning around, Hashirama rapidly formed hand seals. "Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!"

Rows upon rows of curved wooden pillars burst from the earth, forming a sturdy arched wall that blocked the raging wind entirely.

Seeing this, Linhai pushed off with his feet and slid to the right. He formed hand seals once more. "Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

A massive ball of flame blasted into the wooden wall, kicking up smoke and dust that obscured the field of vision.

"Using that move to conceal yourself? Not a bad idea. The disruption is quite effective." Hashirama's commentary came from within the smoke.

Before his words had even faded, Linhai was already behind Hashirama with a short blade in hand, its edge pressed against his neck.

"Sensei, you let your guard down. I win." The corners of Linhai's lips curled upward.

Hashirama nodded. "Using the smoke screen for cover, locking onto chakra with the Sharingan, then using the Body Flicker Technique to land a killing blow. Good tactics, but they're only enough to deal with genin."

Bang!

The Hashirama before him instantly turned into a cloud of white smoke.

"A shadow clone? Damn it!" Linhai's expression changed as he tried to retreat.

"Wood Release: All-Encompassing!"

Countless thick roots suddenly burst from the ground around him, binding Linhai into a tight bundle in an instant and leaving him unable to move.

The real Hashirama leaped down from a tree and walked over to Linhai.

"Your combat experience is far too lacking.

The Sharingan can see chakra, but there are countless ways to counter it. Physical clones are one example.

Your chakra reserves have reached the standard of a chunin, but your combat awareness is worse than a genin's."

With that, Hashirama released the Wood Release and patted Linhai on the head.

"All right, special training ends here. It's time to go home."

Linhai rubbed his aching wrist and gave Hashirama a deep, solemn bow.

"Thank you for teaching me over the past six months, Sensei. You even spared no cost to yourself, using sage chakra to cleanse my meridians. Linhai will never forget this kindness!"

Hashirama's smile faded, and his expression became solemn. "Spend your life protecting Konoha. That will be the best repayment."

Linhai nodded heavily.

After packing up, the two headed back toward the village beneath the setting sun.